The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council has passed a resolution to check harmful practices related to witchcraft, rituals and other traditions that result in human rights violations in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
This was disclosed in a statement issued in Calabar on Wednesday by the Director of Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network (WHRIN), Gary Foxcroft.
According to the statement, investigations have shown that harmful practices have been active in Cross River, Akwa Ibom and other parts of Nigeria, leading to the stigmatisation of several children as witches and wizards, which result in serious psychological and bodily harm.
“Across the world, women, children, the aged, persons with disabilities, particularly persons with albinism, and other conditions such as epilepsy, autism and dementia suffer various human rights abuses due to Harmful Practices Related to Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks (HPAWR).
“These include, but are not limited to, killings, mutilation, exploitation and sale of persons, vital organs and body parts, burnings, grave robberies, torture and stigmatization of victims and their family members,” the statement reads.
Following this statement, survivors of the harmful practices expressed delight and optimism at the news that the development might bring about an end to some of the human rights abuses.
